The Nation’s Chris Hayes on Obama’s Gupta Pick

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January 9, 2009

Chris Hayes, Washington editor of The Nation, appeared on Countdown with Keith Olbermann this week to discuss the recent appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta to the role of Surgeon General. Hayes explained why the appointment has stoked such reticence, and how the nomination, though largely symbolic, may face opposition in Congress. From veteran universal healthcare champion Rep. John Conyers to Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, many have balked at the nomination of Gupta over a few issues, principal of which is his anemic stance on universal healthcare.

Additionally, Gupta’s on-air assertion that Michael Moore had “fudged” some facts in his film Sicko was proven wholly untrue, a misstep that has come back to haunt the neurosurgeon and CNN personality of late. As Hayes explained, underlying initial resistance to Gupta’s appointment is part of a broader, “real frustration” with the tendency of the administration to to withhold critique when dealing with well-liked members of the Washington establishment.

UPDATE:

Chris Hayes misspoke on Countdown when he identified California Rep. Pete Stark as an advocate of single payer healthcare. To read his correction, check out this blog post.